TSE ANNIVERSARY
TSE , INC . HAS BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS
The Northeast Metro is fortunate to have a number of non-profits serving the community that have been around for a long time . This year marks TSE , Inc ’ s 61st year of fulfilling its mission to enrich lives through employment and community connections .
The Roseville-based non-profit was one of the first organizations in Minnesota to serve people with developmental disabilities , and continues to do so today . “ Last year was our 60th anniversary . We were not able to celebrate in a big way due to the pandemic , but we did have wine bottles made up with our 60th anniversary logo , and we did our fundraising golf tournament last August ,” said Lynne Megan , President and CEO of TSE , Inc .
The History of the Organization
TSE Inc . began offering services to the community in 1961 . Prior to the 1960s in Minnesota and across the country when a child with disabilities was born , families were encouraged to place their children in an institution or large group setting .
“ Back then the Minnesota facilities were in Cambridge and Fairbault , so thousands of people were living in warehouse situations far from home ,” said Megan . “ Families in Minnesota said , ‘ No thank you ! We want our children closer to home .’”
In the late 1950s and early 1960s , group homes began popping up in communities . In addition , families worked with state and federal government to be able to get special education laws passed . So , in Minnesota , kids with special needs were able to live at home and get the support they needed to learn at school .
As the kids who received special education services in schools started graduating , families said , ‘ Now what ?’ and organizations like North Suburban DAC ( Day Activity Center ), which is now known as TSE , Inc ., came into existence .
“ We started out in the proverbial church basement with a grant of $ 150,000 from what was then the Department of Public Welfare and is now known as the Department of Human Services ,” said Megan . Early on , people with intellectual and developmental disabilities were provided with social activities at the center .
“ In the mid 1980s , there was a movement to help people recognize that those we were serving had job skills , so we began the work of training
them for job opportunities ,” said Megan . Around the same time , the licensing for TSE , Inc ., evolved to focus on day training and rehabilitation .
Megan said the organization ’ s focus shifted as well . “ More towards getting the people we serve involved in the community .”
Pre-pandemic , the organization served 250 people at four community resource centers . They are located in Vadnais Heights , Roseville , Maplewood and St . Paul . “ At our centers , people really focus on activities that are designed to help them become a part of the community ,” said Megan . vhedc . com 35